Interlocking system



April 25, 1933. c. H. HILL INTERLOCKING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 24, 1951 Inventov v Charles H. Hill a D5 His AGt orneg.

Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. BILL, OF DREXEL HILL, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK INTEBLOCKING SYSTEM Application filed September 24, 1931.

' when all of the disconnecting switches are closed or when all are open.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of improved interlocking means of theabove type having particular application to individually operable switches mounted within a housing or cubicle.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following description referring'to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

. Referring to the drawing, the single figure thereof is an elevational view in perspective of apparatus embodying my invention mounted within a cubicle which is partly shown.

In accordance with my invention each separately actuated member, as a single phase disconnecting switch 1 of a well known type,

is operatively related to locking means actuated in accordance with the open and closed ,positions of the switch and is mounted within an enclosing housing 2. The housing 2 may consist of a steel cubicle suitably partitioned to form compartments, one of which contains the disconnecting switches and is provided with a door 3. Coacting with said locking means in blocking structure generally inclicated at 4 comprising a pair of bars 5 and 6 guided for sliding longitudinal movement and interconnected as by a link 7 so that r either bar is free to move when the other is locked. Each bar is locked or free in Serial No. 564,873.

accordance with the open and closed positions of the switches, the arrangement being such that one bar is locked and the other free when the switches are either all open or when they are all closed, both bars being locked when some switches are in the open position and others in the closed position. The blocking structure likewise includes a bar 8, one end of which extends into the path of movement of the door 3 and the other end is connected to a crank 9 related to the link 7 so that complete closing of the door 3 necessitates movement of the link 7 and at least one of the blocking bars. Accordingly,the bar 8 blocks closing movement of the door 3 when both of the bars 5 and 6 are locked indicating non-uniform positions of the disconnecting switches.

Referring more particularly to the details of the structure above indicated, the disconnecting switches 1, but one of which is shown in the interest of clearness, are mounted upon a partition 10 forming within the cubicle the disconnecting switch compartment above referred to, closed by the door 3 and a rear interlock and cable compartment, the cable terminals being indicated at 11. Each disconnecting switch comprises a pair of supporting insulators 12, one insulator supporting the conductor terminal 13 and associated knife blade supporting post- 14, and the other insulator carrying the terminal 11 and the knife blade clips 15.

The disconnecting switch is shown in the closed circuit position and is provided with a suitable operating portion 16 which may be engaged by a hook or the like for throwing the disconnecting switch between the open and closed positions. The open position of the switch is defined by a stop member 17 carried by a shelf or the like 17 mounted Within the disconnecting switch compartment. Since the operation and structure of each disconnecting switch, as well as the locking means associated therewith, are identical it will sufiice to describe in detail the arrangement associated with a single phase.

The blocking structure 4 is generally mounted on the rear side of the partition 10 and includes suitably spaced guiding means 18 in which the bars 5 and 6 slide. The bars 5 and 6 are likewise biased in the same direction, as by a pair of tension springs 19 con nected at one end to a stationary lug 20 and to the bars 5 and 6. Stop members 21 carried by the bars 5 and G engage guiding means 18 so as to determine the normally biased positions of the bars. lVhen in these positions transversely movable locking members 22 and 23, provided with looking lugs 2 and 25 respectively, are in alignment with corresponding notches or slots and 27 formed in the bars 5 and 6 respectively. Transverse movement of either bar so as to position the locking lug within the corresponding slot locks and prevents movement of that bar.

Both locking members and 23 are as sociated with the same disconnecting switch 1 so that when the switch is closed the upper bar is free and the lower bar is locked and vice versa. Assuming that either bar is locked and the other free, it will be apparent that rod 8 guided at its free end as by a member 28 when engaged by the door 3 causes rotation of the crank 9 bearing againstthe link 7. The corresponding movement of the free bar against the bias of its spring permits complete closing of the disconnecting switch compartment door. The link i' and bar 5 are provided with a pin and slot or lost'motion connection 7' so that movement of either bar may take place independently of the other.

The operative connection between the switch 1 and the locking means comprises in the present instanc pair of pins 29 and 30 arranged to be actuated when the switch is moved to either of its extreme or determining positions. The pin 30 which is actuated in accordance with the closed position of the switch is suitably guided for sliding movement within and through the partition 10. One end of the pin abuts the switch 1 and the opposite end abuts one arm of crank 31 suitably pivoted on supporting structure 32 carried by partition 10. The other arm of the crank 31 is suitably connected through a link 83 to the locking member 22 and is normally biased towards locking position, as by spring 34. The switch 1 in movingto the closed position shown projects pin 80 so as to rotate the crank 81 and raise the locking member 22 to a non-locking position, freeing that portion of the bar :3. Vhen the switch opened the locking member 22 is biased by spring 3* to locking position.

The open circuit position of the switch 1 results in depression of the pin 29, which is suitably guided by the shelf 17, and consequent elevation of the locking member 23% to unlocking position with respect to the bar 6. To this end the lower end of the pin 2!) abuts arm secured to the shaft wb ich likewise has secured thereto an arm 3? connected through a link 38 to a crank 39. The

crank 39 is suitably mounted on the stationary angle member 40 mounted on the partition 10, forming part of the supporting frame for the blocking mechanism and is connected, as at 41, to the locking member 23, the arm 37 being suitably biased by a spring 42 so that the locking member '23 normally urged into its locking position *ithin the notch 27. Depression of the pin 29, however, moves the member 23 upwardly against the bias of sprin 42 so that the bar 6 is free at that portion so long as switch 1 is open.

The operation of the interlocking system above described will be summarized briefly. Assuming that all three of the disconnecting switches are closed shown, it will be apparent that the upper bar 5 is free and the lower bar 6 is locked so that closing of the door 3 is permitted. By reason of the springs 19 the free bar is immediately returned to the position shown upon subsequent opening of the door. In the same manner the upper bar 5 will be locked and the lower bar 6 will be free when all of the switches are in the open position, likewise permitting closing of the door. If, however, one of the switches for example, should be open and the other two closed it will be apparent that both bars are locked with the result that the bar 8 blocks closing of the door 3 until all of the the corresponding member, and blocking structure arranged selectively to be engaged by said locking means, uniform positioning of said members permitting partial movement of said blocking structure and nonamiform positioning completely locking the same, and means relating said blocking structure to said enclosing housing so that said housing may be closed only when said members are in uniform posit-ions.

2. An interlocking system for a plurality of separately movablemembers and an enclosing housing therefor including a door, comprising separately actuated locking means positioned in accordance with the determining posit-ions of each member. blocking structure including a pair of bars arranged selectively to be engaged by said looking means, non-uniform positioning of said members causing locking of both of said bars,

accordance with the determining positions of and means interconnecting said bars and related to said door so that closing of said door is precluded when said members are nonuniformly positioned.

3. In a. switch housing including a plurality of individually operable switches and a door closing access to said. switches, interlocking means preventing closing of said door when said switches are in non-uniform positions comprising locking means positioned in accordance with the closed circuit position of each of said switches, locking means independent of said first-named looking means positioned in accordance with the open circuit position of each of said switches, a pair of independently movable bars, one of which coacts with said first-named locking means and the other with said last-named locking means, and means interconnecting said bars and positioned in the path of said door arranged so that uniform positioning of said switches looking but one of said bars permits closing of said door.

4. An interlocking system for a plurality of separately operable disconnecting switches and a cubicle including a door enclosing the same, comprising a locking member for each of said switches positioned in accordance with the closed circuit position of the switch, a second locking member for each of said switches positioned in accordance with the open circuit position of the switch, a pair of separately movable bars normally biased into operating relation with respect to said look ing means, one of said bars locked in position when one or more of said switches are closed, the other bar being locked in position when one or more of said switches are open, means interconnecting said bars, and a member coacting therewith extending into the path of said door arranged so that movement of said member and closing of said door are precluded when both of said bars are locked in position.

5. In a cubicle including a plurality of switches mounted therein and a door closing access to said switches, an interlocking arrangement comprising a member positioned in the path of said door, and blocking means coacting individually with said switches restraining movement of said member when said switches are in non-uniform positions.

6. An interlocking system for a plurality of individually operable switches and a housing therefor including a door closing access to said switches, comprising blocking structure coacting with the individual switches, and a member normally biased into the path of said door by said blocking structure, said blocking structure being locked in position and restraining movement of said member when said switches are in non-uniform positions.

7. An interlocking system for a plurality of members individually operable to difierhand.

CHARLES H. HILL. 

